mudmagnet

Stu, Keep us updated on the shows for DL as I would like to see this one in the flesh! Mudmagnet

Hi, Not much progress on the layout to report - I seem to have reached a bit of a modellers block - happens to most of us at different times I guess. I still have the interior of the shed to get sorted and have made a little bit of progress, but nothing worth photographing yet. One job, though, that has moved forward a little is the lighting pelmet / name board across the front of the layout. I have been thinking about various options, but now have bought the lights from the local DIY shed and now need to make the supports (cantilever brackets secured to the rear of the layout) and pelmet which will support the lights. The pelmet and cantilever brackets will all be bolted together when assembled at an exhbition. However, just too cold to work in the garage this afternoon, so hope to get on with this next weekend. I will post some photos when done.

Looks very good and yes would be great to see more photos.

Hi, another shot from the end of the layout.

Not forgetting that the bottom of the tyres should be flattened a little where there are in contact with the road! Not so noticable in 4mm, but necessary in 7mm and above.

Great looking workshop! There is plenty of opportunity in 7mm to add details.

Reading through this thread, it would appear to me that there are two types of cliche - those bits seen on layouts (weddings, RTA, Tardis etc) and 'cliche layout'. As far as the latter is concerned, it appears to me that the cliche layout type varies over time, from GWR BLT to diesel depot to Cornish clay etc - and is largely driven but what is avaliable from the manufacturers. I'm sure that we will now see quite a few layouts with the new Bachmann 7F for example (largely because it is a very good model and therefore popular). All layouts are a cliche to some degree - track plans, buildings, bridges etc etc. We do have a tendancy to 'copy' other ideas we see either on the prototype or other models. I am quite happy to model what I do and enjoy doing it! Everyone should be able to model what they please. However, cliches on layouts (Tardis etc) - I do find that these are completely over-done (on exhibition layouts) and largely unnecessary. I would also add seeing figures in 'action' poses - something that I think should be avoided - signs of life can be shown with open windows etc. People of BLT platforms should be minimal. I think that where these cliches are modelled shows a lack of imagination and observation of the real thing. There are better ways to add details / signs of life - just takes some effort to look around when travelling and through photos.

You can almost hear and smell all those engines sat in there! Certainly coming on well and I think that you will be able to create the right atmosphere. Great modelling and yes it is a bit mad, but hey, we all are in our ways!

Hi Chris, Thanks for comments. A little more progress today - the class 08 has now been modified with wire loop coupling - no more tensions locks on the locos! I have also added wipers to the wheels under the chassis, much as seen on other threads on RMWeb, to improve the pick ups. The factory fitted wipers contact the wheel rear, but cannot easily get to them without stripping down and removing the wheels. Getting the wheels back in was a little tricky. I simply ran a wire from the copper clad, through suitable holes in the chassis and soldered the wires onto the existing wiper strips. The only thing missing is a driver, so need to find a suitable figure and fix him the cab! Some work has started on the interior of the shed, with plasticard representing the concrete walls has been glued in and some of the interior details have been started to be made / painted. Will post photos when there is a little more to show.

Hi A couple of photos of my class 31 and 50.

Hi Time for a little update. The class 31 and 50 have now been finished - i.e. pipes added to buffer beams, tensions locks removed and replace with wire loops and weathering finished. The photos show the method I used for fixing the wire loops. Unlike the class 25's I can't simply drill into the body behind the buffer beam on these two locos as Hornby employ a 'floating' piece for the NEM socket and so have drilled holes into the this and glued the wires into the socket. The photos should make it clearer. The first being the 50 where the plastic loop on the coupling has been cut off and holes drilled into the side. The 31 is shown in the second photo, with holes drilled vertically into the NEM Socket.

Locomotives 50011 and 31170 awaiting their next turn of duty at Orchard Road, circa 1981.

Thanks for the hint on using a cocktail stick - not thought of that one! I assume that this gives you much better control and not applying too much paint compared to using a small paint brush? The different coloured patch looks perfect - I've seen photos with this as well and thought about doing something similar, just to ring a few changes on a rake of wagons!

Hi Chris, Thanks for comments. I have now weathered all of the locos that currently run on Orchard Road and will post photos of the 31, 47 and 50 another time. I have tried a different method for weathering, particularily the roofs, where the paint is brushed on (Citadel Warhammer Chaos Black) in small areas as this paint dries quite quickly and then most is removed using cotton buds, with the motion towards the sides of the loco, to represent where the rain would run. This leaves a build-up in the crevices etc and streaks on the 'flat' sections. Some if the paint is also dragged down the sides of the body. Where the paint has dried, using a dampened cotton bud allows the paint to be removed. By all means bring these locos to the club, Chris, and you can have a go yourself. Richard

Hi Thanks for comments Chris. I am pleased with how the layout has turned out. Using the Grassmaster certainly improved the scenics. Finally found the time to fit the pipe work to the buffer beams on my Hornby class 31 and 50. The tension lock couplings have now been removed and replace with a wire loop. The ends of the wires are glued into holes drilled into the NEM sockets as these 'float' behind the buffer beam and could not see an easy way to fit the wire and still allow the chassis to be removed from the body. I will post a couple of photos later in the week if anyone is interested. The weathering on these two, along with the class 47 has also been finished. Next on the list will be to improve the pick-ups on the Bachmann class 08 and also fit a driver and a cab light, as well as fitting the pipes to the buffer beams (with replacement of the tension locks with the wire loops as is becoming standard on my locos). I have also been eyeing up a new Heljan class 33, but will have to wait for a few months!

Marc, I do like the idea of these sections. Very well modelled as well. How are going to transport these to prevent any damage? do you have photos showing these on the front of the layout are are not going to reveal until Taunton!! richard

I do like those wagons. I have recently finishd three vans myself, which had been in a box assembled but awaiting painting. Yours do look better than mine though! The 24.5 t wagon looks the business. I am considering some of these myself at a later date, but currently just getting a few 16t. How did you do the 'rusting' on the wagon?

I agree with what Scott has replied. Layout looks good. I guess you will also be busy weathering those tank wagons!

Hi A view from Orchard Road

Hi Another couple of photos. The fleet has been added to, with another class 25! This was a Christmas present and has now been renumbered (now 25057) and weathered. This is shown with 25054, with further weathering added. I have re-touched the weathering on all of my 25's now as these needed finishing a bit better than previously and all have add dirt added around the windows as these were previously not weathered. The sweep of the windscreen wipers was painted by hand. I now have the remainder of the locomotives are now to be done, plus fitting of the pipes etc to a couple of the locos, along with removal of the tension lock couplings, which are replaced with a simple wire loop. When painted black, becomes considerably less noticable. p.s. I still need to weather the BR van, which still looks too shiny!

Looks very good Dave. What's next? You may need to make a short display diorama for all of these 4mm locos - although sitting on Charmouth still look very good. Richard

Thanks Darren, perhaps I should show some more B&W shots next time i take some photos!

Hi The layout has been moved back into the garage, so progress will slow down again. However, a start has been made on the interior of the depot building, with the floor now levelled and painted ( mucky concrete / oil stained finish ), complete with oil / fuel stains. The interior block walls need to be added, the plasticard has been painted and ready for cutting to size. I will now start collecting / making / painting various detail parts for gluing down. Photos to follow when some of this work has been completed. Also need to make the roller shutter doors and some interior lights (with addtional roof steelwork to hold it all up).

Congratulations Dave, well done. I look forward to seeing this one in the flesh sometime. A credit to your 2mm modelling, which seems to be domintated by 00.